SH 45 Extension – September Update

Travis county voters approved the SH 45 extension connecting FM 1626 to Mopac in 1997. It is now completely funded and under construction as a toll road. There had been a last-minute effort to stop this road with a lawsuit, but on August 4th the Federal court decisively ruled in favor of the Mobility Authority and TxDOT. Work is now being done on overpasses at Bliss Spiller Road, Bear Creek, and Danz Creek. The scheduled completion of this important road is Late 2019.

When completed SH 45 Southwest will knock 9 to 17 minutes off the drive time for area commuters traveling from Buda into central Austin. The road opening will also reduce traffic and shorten drive times on Brodie Lane.

For Hays county residents, this road will also improve connectivity between Dripping Springs and the Buda-Kyle area. This new east-west travel option will replace traveling on narrow country roads that have many twists and turns.

A retail and mixed-use development called Hays Commons is planned at the intersection of SH 45 SW and FM 1626. Over 100 acres is planned for a commercial area that could include a grocery store and complimentary retail. As a part of the development agreement with the city of Hays 113 acres of parkland will be donated to the city.